Odisha govt deploys two interceptor boats to protect Olive Ridleys

To protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles from illegal trawlers during their nesting season, two interceptor boats will start patrolling along the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary coast in Odisha from today.

Odisha government had yesterday deployed two interceptors along sanctuary for safety of Olive Ridleys.

Both the boats, Gahirmatha I and Gahirmatha II from today will patrol the sea for protecting the Olive Ridley turtle. These two boats have been procured from Mumbai at a cost of Rs three crore each and will patrol the seas all year round.

Notably, state government has imposed fishing restriction on 120 km stretch from Dhamra coast to Devi river mouth. Trawlers and fishermen have been directed not to fish within 20 km from coastline in the turtle nesting sites. Despite the prohibition fishermen have been using motor boats and mechanised trawlers for fishing in the area, endangering the Olive Ridley turtles.